FIELD CROPS. 833 



A contribution to the knowledge of the formation of callus and wound 

 tissues on ringed twigs, A. Krikc! (BcHrafic ziir Kcinitnifi dcr Kdlliia- inid 

 WundliolzbiUhmn i/criiit/cltcr Zicvigr. W i'lrzhnid, I'JDH, jiii. US, /)/.s. 2-j). — The 

 results are given of an anatomical study of the development and growth of 

 callus and wound tissues on a number of girdled twigs. The subjects studied 

 were grapes, amiieloi)sis, roses, willows, cornel, syringa, poplar, and horse- 

 chestnut. The formation of wound cork and wood and their absori)tion and 

 fusion are described, as are also the effects of ringing on the leaves, the 

 presence of crystals in new tissues, etc. 



The Indian cottons, G. A. Gammie {Mem. Dept. Agr. India, Bot. Set:, 2 

 (IHOI), \(). 2, in>- 2.3, />/.s'. I'l).- — The results of a botanical study of the culti- 

 vated varieties of Indian cottons are given, and lieys are presented to the 

 species, varieties, and subvarieties of those recognized by the author. Nine 

 distinct species are recognized and a number of forms and varieties of each 

 are described. 



Variations in poppies, L. Blaringhem {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sri. [Paris], 

 l.'/S (1907), Xo. 2^'), pp. 12D.'i-129(i). — The results of a study of an isolated colony 

 of poppies (Paparer rhcea.s) are given in which the author shows that marked 

 variations have been developed by the different plants. In all some ]4 series 

 are recognized in a colony of about 250 individuals, and the author believes 

 that these plants are in a state of mutation, a hyitothesis which he i»roposes 

 to investigate by a study of their seedlings. 



FIELD CROPS. 



The New Jersey salt marsh and its improvement, ,T. B. Smith (Nnr Jer- 

 sey Stas. Bui. 207, pp. 2), pis. 2, pus, '/, map 1). — Tlie territory covered by tlie 

 New Jerse.y salt marsh and the cctnditions obtaining therein, together with the 

 improvement work carried out and in progress are described, and the effect of 

 drainage on crops in certain areas is pointed out. The two recognized metliods 

 of reclaiming salt marshes, diking and drainage, are outlined. 



"Diking means, briefly, keeiting out all sea water bj' means of dams and 

 by means of gates or otherwise, allowing the water that accumulates behind 

 these dams to escape at low tide. Drainage means simply a provision for 

 getting rid of the surface water on a marsh by means of ditching and therebj^ 

 improving its texture and the value of its crops. It is not reclamation, strictly 

 sjieaking, for it preserves the marsli as such, and the land keeps its character- 

 istic crops. It is reclamation only in the sense that mosquito-breeding places 

 are eliminated and its productive power is increased." 



Experiment station reports, E. A. Nonr.s (Afir. ■Jour. Cape (load Hope, 31 

 (l!)07), Xo. .'/, pp. -'il'i-'i'l'i). — This is a report of experiments carried on in the 

 IJoltertson district. 



Tlie results of manurial exi)eriments with cereals show that for wheat a 

 coini)lete fertilizer is most profitable. The normal quantities of the different 

 fertilizers used per acre were as follows: Superphosphate, basic slag and guano 

 each 100 lbs., nitrate of soda 80 lbs., and sulphate of potash 40 lbs. These 

 were applied in different combinations and quantities. The use of one and one- 

 lialf times the normal dressing gave the best results. The three chief plant 

 foods used singly were of but little value. In these experiments suiierphosphate 

 gave much better results than Itasic slag, but it is i)ointed out that this is not 

 always the case. As a result of c<miparing home-mixed with ready-mixed 

 fertilizers it is concluded tliat the most profitable application is to be obtained 

 by buying the several ingredients and combining them in such proportions as 

 have been found to answer best. 



